Kelly Flabel's Blog Posts

5 Tips for Making Your Best OfferIn today’s sellers’ market, standing out as a buyer is critical. Multi-offer scenarios and bidding wars are the norm due to the low supply of houses for

The Truth About Today’s Buyer DemandWhen it comes to the latest news in real estate, there are a lot of sensational headlines in the media. In times like this, when it can be hard to know

Reasons You Should Consider Selling This FallIf you're trying to decide when to sell your house, there may not be a better time to list than right now. The ultimate sellers' market we're

Understand Your Options To Avoid ForeclosureEven though experts agree there’s no chance of a large-scale foreclosure crisis, there are a number of homeowners who may be coming face-to

Home Price Appreciation Is Skyrocketing in 2021. What About 2022?One of the major story lines over the last year is how well the residential real estate market performed. One key metric in the

Fact or Fiction: Homebuyer Edition [INFOGRAPHIC]Some Highlights When it comes to the current housing market, there are multiple misconceptions – from what the current supply of

Why It’s Still Safe To Sell Your HomeIf you’re on the fence about whether or not you want to sell your house this year, there’s good news. Real estate professionals are highly

The Difference in Net Worth Between Homeowners and Renters Is WideningBecoming financially secure is an important goal for many people today, but some don’t realize just how much &

What Buyers and Sellers Need To Know About the Appraisal GapIt’s economy 101 – when supply is low and demand is high, prices naturally rise. That’s what’s happening in today’s housing

Median home sale prices continue to rise in both Ada and Canyon Counties. Photo: Gretchen Parsons/BoiseDevByDon Day - BoiseDev editorThe median price of a home in Ada County dropped in August. It

What You Can Do Right Now To Prepare for HomeownershipAs rent prices continue to soar, many renters want to know what they can do to get ready to buy their first home. According to recent

5 Reasons Today’s Housing Market Is Anything but NormalThere are many headlines out there that claim we’re reverting to a more normal real estate market. That would indicate the housing market

Your Agent Is Key When Pricing Your House [INFOGRAPHIC]Some Highlights Pricing your house right takes market experience and expertise. To find the best list price, your agent balances

What To Do with Your Vacation Home as Summer EndsAs summer comes to a close, is it time to think about selling your vacation home? Based on recent data and expert opinions, it’s something you may

Why 2021 Is Still the Year To Sell Your HouseIf you’re trying to decide whether or not to sell your house, this is the time to think seriously about making a move. Fannie Mae�

If Housing Affordability Is About the Money, Don’t Forget This.There are many non-financial benefits of buying your own home. However, today’s headlines seem to be focusing primarily

Your Checklist To Get Ready To Sell [INFOGRAPHIC]Some Highlights When it comes to selling your house, you want it to look its best inside and out. It’s important to focus on tasks

What Does Being in a Sellers’ Market Mean?Whether or not you’ve been following the real estate industry lately, there’s a good chance you’ve heard we’re in a serious sellers’ market. But

Real Estate: It’s Still a Lack of Supply, Not a Lack of DemandOne of the major questions real estate experts are asking today is whether prospective homebuyers still believe purchasing a home

More Young People Are Buying HomesThere’s a common misconception that younger generations aren’t interested in homeownership. Many people point to the fact that millennials put off purchasing

What Do Experts Say About Today’s Mortgage Rates?Mortgage rates are hovering near record lows, and that’s good news for today’s homebuyers. The graph below shows mortgage rates

Options for First-Time Homebuyers [INFOGRAPHIC]Some Highlights With a housing market this competitive, sometimes you have to think outside the box. Work with your trusted real estate

The Community and Economic Impacts of a Home SaleIf you’re thinking of buying or selling a house, chances are you’re focusing on the many extraordinary ways it’ll change your life.

Looking for a Place To Call Home? Consider a Condominium.It’s no secret that one of the top stories in today’s real estate market is low housing supply and high buyer demand. If you’re a 

Are Houses Less Affordable Than They Were in Past Decades?There are many headlines about how housing affordability is declining. The headlines are correct: it’s less affordable to purchase a home

The Best Use of Time (and Money) When It Comes to RenovationsIn the current sellers’ market, many homeowners wonder what, if anything, needs to be remodeled before they list their house. That’s

Sellers Are in a Sweet Spot [INFOGRAPHIC]Some Highlights In today’s sellers’ market, you’re set up to win big when you list your house. That’s because homes are selling

3 Hot Topics in the Housing Market Right NowIf you’re a prospective buyer or seller, it’s important to understand the current real estate market conditions and how they affect you. The 

4 Reasons Why the End of Forbearance Will Not Lead to a Wave of ForeclosuresWith forbearance plans about to come to an end, many are concerned the housing market will experience a wave of

A Look at Housing Supply and What It Means for SellersOne of the hottest topics of conversation in today’s real estate market is the shortage of available homes. Simply put, there are

Home Sellers: There Is an Extra Way To Welcome Home Our VeteransSome veterans are finding it difficult to obtain a home in today’s market. According to the National

Waiting To Buy a Home Could Cost You [INFOGRAPHIC]Some Highlights If you’re thinking of buying a home but wondering if waiting a few years will save you in the long run, think.

What You Should Do Before Interest Rates RiseIn today’s real estate market, mortgage interest rates are near record lows. If you’ve been in your current home for several years and haven’t

Remote Work Has Changed Our Home Needs. Is It Time for Your Home To Change, Too?Over the past year, many homeowners realized what they need in a home is changing, especially with the rise in remote

Today’s Real Estate Market Explained Through 4 Key TrendsAs we move into the second half of the year, one thing is clear: the current real estate market is one for the record books. The exact mix

Pop Quiz: Can You Define These Key Terms in Today’s Housing Market? [INFOGRAPHIC]Some Highlights The language of buying and selling a home may sound scary at first, but knowing how key terms

Why This Isn’t Your Typical Summer Housing MarketIn real estate, it’s normal to see ebbs and flows in the market. Typically, the summer months are slower-paced than the traditionally busy.

4 Major Incentives To Sell This SummerWhile the housing market forecast for the second half of the year remains positive, there may not be a better time to sell than right now. Here are

Housing Supply Is Rising. What Does That Mean for You?An important factor in today’s market is the number of homes for sale. While inventory levels continue to sit near historic lows, there are

Diving Deep into Today’s Biggest Buyer ConcernsLast week, Fannie Mae released their Home Purchase Sentiment Index (HPSI). Though the survey showed 77% of respondents believe�

Experts Agree: Options Are Improving for Buyers [INFOGRAPHIC]Some Highlights Buyers hoping for more homes to choose from may be in luck as housing inventory begins to rise. Many

Home Builders Ramp Up Construction Based on DemandIf you’re thinking of buying a home, there really is no time like the present. With today’s low mortgage rates, you have a great

The Truths Young Homebuyers Need To HearFor many young or first-time homebuyers, purchasing a home can feel intimidating. A recent survey shows some homebuyers ages 25 to 40 may be unsure

Selling Your House? Make Sure You Price It Right.There’s no denying we’re in a sellers’ market. With low inventory and high buyer demand, homes today are selling above the asking price at

Your Home Equity Can Take You Places [INFOGRAPHIC]Some Highlights The amount of wealth Americans have stored in their homes has increased astronomically. On average, homeowners gained $33

What To Expect as Appraisal Gaps GrowIn today’s real estate market, low inventory and high demand are driving up home prices. As many as 54% of homes are getting offers over the listing

What Do Experts See on the Horizon for the Second Half of the Year?As we move into the latter half of the year, questions about what’s to come are top of mind for buyers and sellers. Near record

Are We in a Housing Bubble? Experts Say No.The question of whether the real estate market is a bubble ready to pop seems to be dominating a lot of conversations – and everyone has an opinion. Yet,

A Look at Home Price Appreciation Through 2025Home prices have increased significantly over the last year, which in turn has grown the net worth of homeowners. Appreciation and home equity are

Homeowner Wealth Increases Through Growing Equity This YearBuilding financial wealth and stability remains one of the top reasons Americans choose to own a home, and as a homeowner, your

Pre-Approval Makes All the Difference When Buying a HomeYou may have been told that it’s important to get pre-approved at the beginning of the homebuying process, but what does

Demand for Vacation Homes Is Still StrongThe pandemic created a tremendous interest in vacation homes across the country. Throughout the last year, many people purchased second homes as a

Homebuyers: Hang in There [INFOGRAPHIC]Some Highlights Today’s sellers’ market provides unique challenges—and benefits—for buyers. Current low interest rates won’t

Homes Across the Country Are Selling Fast [INFOGRAPHIC]Some Highlights In today’s whirlwind real estate market, houses are selling at astonishing speed – from sea to shining sea. Four

6 Reasons to Celebrate National Homeownership MonthOur homes are so much more than the houses we live in. For many, they’ve also become our workplaces, schools for our children, and safe harbors

What’s Motivating People To Move Right Now?This year, Americans are moving for a variety of reasons. The health crisis has truly reshaped our lifestyles and our needs. Spending so much more time

Dreaming of a Bigger Home? Why Not Buy It This Year?Are you clamoring for extra rooms or a more functional floorplan in your house? Maybe it’s time to make a move. If you’ll be able to work

Top Reasons To Own Your Home [INFOGRAPHIC]Some Highlights June is National Homeownership Month, and it’s a great time to consider the benefits of owning your own home. If you’re

There’s No Reason To Panic Over Today’s Lending StandardsToday, some are afraid the real estate market is starting to look a lot like it did in 2006, just prior to the housing crash. One of the

Buyer Competition Is Good News for Sellers [INFOGRAPHIC]Some Highlights With so many buyers looking for homes to purchase and so few houses available today, there’s a substantial increase in

Your Tax Refund and Stimulus Savings May Help You Achieve Homeownership This YearIf you’re planning to buy a home this year, saving for a down payment is one of the most important steps in the

Don’t Sell on Your Own Just Because It’s a Sellers’ MarketIn a sellers’ market, some homeowners might be tempted to try to sell their house on their own (known as For

Should We Fear the Surge in Cash-Out Refinances?Freddie Mac recently released their Quarterly Refinance Statistics report which covers refinances through 2020. The report explains

Why You Should Think About Listing Prices Like an Auction’s Reserve PriceFor generations, the homebuying process never really changed. The seller would try to estimate the market value of the home

Buyer & Seller Perks in Today’s Housing MarketRight now, the housing market is full of outstanding opportunities for both buyers and sellers. Whether you’re thinking of buying your

2021 Real Estate Myth Buster [INFOGRAPHIC]Some Highlights There are a lot of misconceptions about buying or selling a home today, making it challenging to know exactly how to navigate the current

What It Means To Be in a Sellers’ MarketIf you’ve given even a casual thought to selling your house in the near future, this is the time to really think seriously about making a move.

What Is the #1 Financial Benefit of Homeownership?There are many financial and non-financial benefits of homeownership, and the greatest financial one is wealth creation. Homeownership has

How to Make a Winning Offer on a HomeToday’s homebuyers are faced with a strong sellers’ market, which means there are a lot of active buyers competing for a relatively low number

What Is the Strongest Tailwind to Today’s Recovering Economy?Last year started off with a bang. Unemployment was under 4%, forecasters were giddy with their projections for the economy, and

To Renovate or Not To Renovate Before You SellWhen thinking about selling, homeowners often feel they need to get their house ready with some remodeling to make it more appealing to buyers. However,

What Credit Score Do You Need for a Mortgage?According to data from the most recent Origination Insight Report by Ellie Mae, the average FICO® score on closed loans reached

Americans See Major Home Equity Gains [INFOGRAPHIC]Some Highlights Today’s home price appreciation is driving equity higher throughout the country. If your needs are changing and

4 Reasons People Are Buying Homes in 2021According to many experts, the real estate market is expected to continue growing in 2021, and it’s largely driven by the lasting impact the pandemic

What Does 2021 Have in Store for Home Values?According to the latest CoreLogic Home Price Insights Report, nationwide home values increased by 8.2% over the last twelve months.

Reasons to Hire a Real Estate Professional [INFOGRAPHIC]Some Highlights Choosing the right real estate professional to work with is one of the most important decisions you can make in your

Will Forbearance Plans Lead to a Tsunami of Foreclosures?At the onset of the economic disruptions caused by the COVID pandemic, the government quickly put into place forbearance plans to allow

Why Right Now May Be the Time to Sell Your HouseThe housing market made an incredible recovery in 2020 and is now positioned for an even stronger year in 2021. Record-low mortgage interest&

Things to Avoid after Applying for a Mortgage [INFOGRAPHIC]Some Highlights There are a few key things to make sure you avoid after applying for a mortgage to help make sure you still

More Generations Are Living Under One Roof This YearThis year challenged us to reprioritize everything - from the way we use our time to where we work, how we socialize and gather together, and our

Why Selling Your House on Your Own in 2021 Is a MistakeThere are many benefits to working with a real estate professional when selling your house. During challenging times, like what we face today,

Four Expert Views on the 2021 Housing MarketThe housing market was a shining star in 2020, fueling the economic turnaround throughout the country. As we look forward to 2021, can we expect real

3 Must-Do’s When Selling Your House This YearIt’s exciting to put a house on the market and to think about making new memories in new spaces. However, despite the anticipation of what’s to,

Here’s to a Wonderful!

Are Home Prices Headed Toward Bubble Territory?Talk of a housing bubble is beginning to crop up as home prices have appreciated at a rapid pace this year. This is understandable since the

An Honest Look at Unemployment NumbersLast Friday, the Bureau of Labor Statistics released the November Jobs Report. It revealed that, though headed in the right direction, the�

Why It Makes Sense to Sell Your House This Holiday SeasonIf you’re one of the many homeowners thinking about taking your house off the market for the holidays, hang on. You definitely don’t want

Winning as a Buyer in a Sellers’ Market [INFOGRAPHIC]Some Highlights Buying a home in today’s sellers’ market doesn’t have to feel like an uphill battle. Here are four ways to make

5 Steps to Follow When Applying for ForbearanceIf you’re currently feeling the stress of affording your mortgage payment, or if you know someone who is, there’s still time to get help. For

Knowledge Is Power on the Path to HomeownershipHomeownership is on the goal list for many young adults, but sometimes it’s hard to know exactly how to get there. From understanding the homebuying

With Home Values Surging, Is it Still Affordable to Buy Right Now?Housing inventory is at an all-time low. Realtor.com just reported that there are 39% fewer homes for sale

A New Way to Shop for Homes in a Virtual World In a year when we’re learning to do so much remotely, homebuying is no exception. From going to work to attending school, grocery shopping, and even

How Remote Work Can Power Your Vacation Home SaleThis year, the opportunity to work remotely has increased the demand for vacation homes. Gay Cororaton, Senior Economist and Director of Housing

The Path to Homeownership [INFOGRAPHIC]Some Highlights If you’re thinking of buying a home and not sure where to start, you’re not alone. Here’s a map with 10 simple steps to follow in

Is Buying a Home Today a Good Financial Move?There’s no doubt 2020 has been a challenging year. A global pandemic coupled with an economic recession has caused heartache for many. However, it has

Your House May Be High on the Buyer Wish List This Holiday SeasonAround this time each year, many homeowners decide to wait until after the holidays to sell their houses. Similarly, others who

Key Terms to Know in the Homebuying Process [INFOGRAPHIC]Some Highlights Buying a home can be intimidating if you’re not familiar with the terms used throughout the process. To point you in

5 Tips for Homebuyers Who Want to Make a Competitive OfferToday’s real estate market has high buyer interest and low housing inventory. With so many buyers competing for a limited

Homes for Sale Are Rapidly DisappearingThrough all the challenges of 2020, the real estate market has done very well, and purchasers are continuing to take advantage of historically low mortgage

Will Mortgage Rates Remain Low Next Year?In 2020, buyers got a big boost in the housing market as mortgage rates dropped throughout the year. According to Freddie Mac, rates hit all-time lows

Chances of Another Foreclosure Crisis? “About Zero Percent.”There seems to be some concern that the 2020 economic downturn will lead to another foreclosure crisis like the one we experienced

It Pays to Sell with a Real Estate Agent [INFOGRAPHIC]Some HighlightsToday, it’s more important than ever to have an expert you trust to guide you as you sell your house.From your safety

Don’t Let Buyer Competition Keep You from Purchasing a HomeThis year’s record-low mortgage rates sparked high demand among homebuyers. Current homeowners, however, haven’t put their houses on

  Why Working from Home May Spark Your Next Move If you’ve been working from home this year, chances are you’ve been at it a little longer than you initially expected.

Tips to Sell Your House Safely Right Now [INFOGRAPHIC] Some Highlights Your agent now has over 6 months of experience selling houses during the pandemic and can make the

Winter Will Bring a Flurry of Activity to the Housing MarketIn the second half of this year, the housing market surged with activity. Today, real estate experts are looking ahead to the

VA Home Loans: Helping Heroes Find a Home Today, on Veterans Day, we honor those who have served our country and thank them for their continued dedication to our nation. In the United

Homeownership Is a Key to Building Wealth For years, real estate has been considered the best investment you can make. A major reason for this is due to the net worth a